Job Discussion Forums

saharastars · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 107 Location: Wonderland

There are just too many bored , frustrated and depressed people out there - or at least on this board, the Polly Anna side of my personality thought it would be fun to solicit ideas for a typical compound garden. keeping a garden will no doubt soothe the soul....

ANY ADVICE ON PLANTS, PLANTING, SUPPLIERS AND TIPS WOULD BE GRATEFULLY RECIEVED. Very Happy

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

I would suggest Qat. You can commercialize it and it will enable you to meet people you wouldn't normally come across, and if you can get your husband into the habit, you'll find you will have finally succeeded in keeping his mouth shut.

trapezius · Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:25 pm Post subject:

I can't offer any real advice like Stephen did, but the best thing is to go to a big proper garden center to get all your supplies and advice/information.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Most "expats"in KSA leave the gardening on compounds or elsewhere to those from South Asia who do all the gardening work !

johnslat · Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 5:18 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

Perhaps the expats you refer to have the same philosophy as Villiers de L'Isle Adam:

�As for living, our servants will do that for us!"

Regards,
John

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 10:50 pm Post subject:

007 · Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 11:36 pm Post subject:

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 12:42 am Post subject:

007, when you see what qat-chewing can do to a society such as Yemen, I would never think that qat-growing or use should be encouraged. Tell me, is it specifically prohibited in Islam, or is it one of those gray areas?

ntropy · Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 671 Location: ghurba

Qat grows on a large TREE.

Myself, I had so many potted plants inside my place when I lived in the Magic Kingdon, I was in danger of having Brazilian aboriginals clear cut the place for crops.

Asda · Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 231

007 · Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 12:22 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 2:03 pm Post subject:

Dear 007,

Which would include, I assume, shisha. I know that I certainly got a "buzz" from smoking "the pipe", so how come that's permitted?

Regards,
John

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

I had a great time gardening in my compound.

I did go to Sultan gardens mostly for plants- a bit more expensive but convenient and good quality.

I grew lemongrass like crazy. I love it for cooking and tea, and it is a beautiful grass. To get it started, get some fresh lemongrass twigs from Tamimi and put them in water. Within a couple of weeks they should be well-rooted. Put them in the ground or in a pot and keep them well watered. They even survive over the summer, but, of course they look very ratty in the fall.

I also grew aloe, agave, a sort of basil that grows like a weed there, and decorative grasses. I had a two year old pineapple plant growing by the time I left. Just put the top of one of those good, sweet little asian pineapples in the ground with the greens up to the sun, and water.

I have just started my garden here in Oman. Yesterday I planted papaya trees and a coconut tree, gardenias and strawberries. We have some melons going that volunteered from the compost, as well as a tomato plant and a sweet potato which both volunteered. My landlady left us a 2"' tall lemon tree to nurture, and we are trying.

Winter is a fantastic time for gardening here, and it will help you stay sane. I did have the guy who tended to our block in the compound water things regularly for me, which can mean at least twice a day when it starts getting hotter. Slip him 50 riyal occasionally and everyone will be happy.

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 4:05 pm Post subject:

And I hear that in Yemen there's an incredible Garden of Aden. Very Happy

Regards,
John

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614